Hennique



Feb. 7, 1956 J. HENNIQUE KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug.19, 1952 INVENTORI JACQUES HENNIQUE Filed Aug. 19, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORZ Q ES HEM/QUE BY:

United States Patent M KNITTING MACHINE Jacques Hennique, White Plains,N. Y. Application August19, 1952, Serial No. 305,145 Claims priority,application France October 24, 1951 Claims. (Cl. 664) The presentinvention has for its object a knitting machine adapted to produce astitched fabric and that is intended more particularly for domestic orhandicraft use. It relates to the well known type of machine includingtwo cooperating sets of members of a different nature, the members ofone set being constituted by metal rods, pegs, pins, nails or the likeparts which will be called hereinafter teeth and being interconnected toform a removable rectilinear comb, while the other set is constituted byhooks located in register with the free spaces provided between thesuccessive teeth of the rectilinearcomb and adapted to slide under theaction of a driving member or carriage, housed inside the machine. The'carri'age that is started moving through the agency of a headcontrolled from the outside, has for its object to'pr'oducethe forwardand rearward movement of the sliding hooks that are constrained toreciprocate with reference to the rectilinear comb, with a view topositioning the thread in zig-zag formation between the teeth of thecomb and the sliding hooks and thereby, to initiating the successiverows of stitches afterthe formation of the first row.

It is a known fact that stitches are'formed on machines of this type bypassing the thread through the channel formed by the space providedbetween the hooksand the teeth of the rectilinear comb, when lastmentioned hooks have progressed beyond the comb, after which'the latterare caused to recede, so that the thread may assume its zig-zag shape,the thread drawn back by the hooks during their receding movement beingthus locked at the upper ends of the comb teeth and the finishing of therow of stitches being performed through the knocking over of thepreceding row of stitches over the upper ends of the teeth of therectilinear comb. In order to prepare the following row of stitches, thecomb has to be released lwith reference to its carrier and turned roundlongitudinallyend for end or else it is left in or returned into itsoriginal position according to the kind of knitting that itis desired toobtain. i

The present invention has for its objectto brin'g various improvementsto the machines of the abovetype, chiefly for making its structuresimpler, its operation more reliable and more accurate, its handling andtransportation easier, these different improvements havingvfor theirresult anincreased production. t.

These improvements that are applicableseparately or in any desiredcombination are as follows:

According to a first object of the invention, the carriers on which theends of the removable rectilinear comb rest are rigid each with an armthat is adapted to pivot round an'axis perpendicular to the plane inwhich the hooks are shifted and that is at a comparatively largedistance from the corresponding carrier, which allows adjusting theposition of the teeth of the comb with reference to the sliding hooksand consequently provides for an adjustment of the stitch-size.

According to a further object of the invention, the above mentioned combcarriers are provided with a 2,733,582 Patented Feb. 7, 1956 ice pointercooperating with a scale carried by the frame or casing of the machine,whereby it is possible to obtain an accurate adjustment and a marking ofthe position assumed by the rectilinear comb.

According to a still further object of the invention, each of thecarriers of the movable rectilinear comb is provided on its innersurface with a recess adapted to cooperate with a stud carried by thecorresponding end of the comb, said recess having two slopes one ofwhich allows producing accurately a smooth rising movement of therectilinear comb with a view to releasing the thread from the hookswhile the other slope forms with the former slope a sort of funnel whichallows readily posi tioning the comb and releasing it when it is to beturned round longitudinally end for end; at the same time each combcarrier is designed in a manner such that the comb may be readily turnedupside down, i. e. the comb body carrying the teeth may be positionedhigher'than the teeth that are directed downwardly with a view toallowingexamination of the knitted material, in which case the studs onthe comb engage further recesses in the carriers that serve asabutmentsengaging the comb with a view to preventing the latter fromdropping out too easily.

According to a further feature of the invention, the thread-carrier,associated with the carriage, for laying the thread in the sliding hooksat the moment of their forward movement whilersaid carriage is beingshifted, is provided with a rectangular head through which it may betaken hold of easily in order to impart to the carriage a translationalmovement.

According to a-still further feature of the invention, the rectilinearcomb includes a wooden core which allows an easy mounting and discardingof the teeth.

The machine may also include a parallelepipedic frame or casinghousingalmetal plate matching the inner shape 'ofthe frame and carryingthedifierent members contained therein, while vertical slots servingasguide-ways for the' sliding hooks are provided in the plate in registerwith further slots provided in the front wall of the frame and the rearraised ends of said hooks are guided during their slidingmovementinsidea transversely grooved metal sheetand their lowermedial portions areguided inside another transversely grooved metal sheet; said two groovedmetal sheets are secured to the first mentioned carrier plate and arerigid furthermore with a rail guideing thefcarriage producing the,forward and rearwad movementof the sliding hooks, which latterrest on aU-shapedrnetal sheet carried by springs bearing on stays connecting thetwo vertical flanges of the metal carrier plate. V r a Lastly, themachine may be laid on feet that are preferably removable and thatinclude bearing surfaces in spaced formation, that allow giving thefront surface of the frame a slope that furthers the execution of thework.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear furthermorefrom the reading of the following description and inspection, ofaccompanying drawings, said description and drawings referring to apreferred embodiment of the invention disclosed by way of example and byno means in a limiting sense. In said drawings:-

Fig. l is a general perspective view ofthe machine;

Figp2'is across sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail elevatiohal view of one end of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a corresponding plan view. n

The machine is constituted by a parallelepipedic elon-' gated frame orcasing 1 including a front wall 1a a rear metal plate 3, said edgesbeing fitted between the edges of a medial opening of the cover lb thatare folded at right angles; along said slot 4 the carriage or the likedriving .member .described hereinafter is adapted .to move. 'Thelfrontwall la-of the casing is provided with vertical slots #5 throughwhichprojectthe sliding books 6, which latter rest on alongitudinalflange 7 .formedton the wall 1a .of the casing. The metal-carriergplate.3 is also ,provided :with vertical slots 8 registering with the slots5.

.Each ofthe sliding hooks 6eis constituted by a suitably bent'metal rodand is;guided-at its front end inside .the slots .S-and 8,'byits rear.end 6aguided inside Jthe;.grooved metal .sheet .9 :and -.by its .lowerJmedial'section 16b .aguided inside a :grooved U-shapedksheet-metzil:10, .the two sheets 9eand.-10.being-both:carriedlby the carrierzplate:3. .The hooks- 6 rest furthermore through their. lower mediaLs'ections6bon a-metal'sheet :11 assuming the shape :of :an inverted U:andsupported by springs 12 bearing on .stays 13 :.connecting the two.flanges of the carrier plate 3 together: (Fig.2)

The members withwhich the'slidinghooksfi cooperate for the formation ofstitches maybe constituted for instance by 'a-:series tof..metal rodsa'ssuming the shape of nails or teeth 14. The latter are connected so asto' form at rectilinear removable comb 15 that may be constituted by atubular body inside which is housed a woodencore 16 that allows thereadymounting-and dismantling of the nails or teeth :14 without it beingnecessary to resort to anyispecial.devicefor these operations. Theremovable rectilinear. comb l5tcarries at-ea'ch end-a plate 17 securedto the'wooden core 16 through the 'agencyof'a screw 18 (Fig.3),said'platebeing provided 'with'astud 19 hearing against the bottom of-a'V' shaped recess '20 formed in thei innersurface of the correspondingsupport '21 (-Fig. 4). Each support 21 is rigid with an arm'22 that maybe shifted angulaflywith referenceto a stationary'spindle23=perpendiculartothe upper wall of thefrarne casing and'consequ'en'tly'to the plane in which'the hooks slide. Said spindle"23is 'carried'by a plate '24 rigid withthe casing -1. The shifting of thesupports 21'is guidedand limited by aslot'25 provided in the arm 22 andcooperatingwith a threaded'pin 26 screwed'into the plate 2 4; the"large-'radiusof curvature assumed'by the slot25 as allowed by thelocationof'the spindle23 ensures substantial"linearity'ofthemovementofthe carrierZl in a horizontal plane. 'Thethreaded pin 26lincludes ahead 27 providedwith "'a p'olygonal recess 1Z8 adapted to. receivea-wrench iprovidingfor'the clamping or releasing of the pin28, wherebyit .isposs'ible to adjust the. location .or thecarrier 21and to .holdsame fast in said. adjustedposition" through engagement of the head 27with'theedges-of theslot 25.

Each of the supports 21 is rigid with=a pointer29.movingovera'scalefifl.carried byfthe casing andtthat allows thus'amaccurate adjustment and .maiiking .of. the :location oftheredtilinear comb. IIt.is,possible .by.:adjusting the position "of thecomb with reference to the sliding .hoo'ks to adjust the size. ofthestitchand consequently to -.obtain "as desired looseror. closerknitted fabrics.

The "V shaped recess .20tprovided. one the .inner surface ofeach support21 has two slopesof which one, 20a (Fig.2) is. adapted to ,provide.accuratelyea smooth rising'movement of.therectilinearcomb .15 when itis desired to releaseihefthread .from -'.the. hooks. The other slope20b.forms with a-thetslopeez0aa'ssort of funnel 5.01 guide'way thatallows easily positioning the comb releasing it when it..has tobeturnedlongitudinally send for end.

Lastly, the. support $21 is designed in :aamanner such that the.comb-may-.bereasilyeturned upside down, :the tubular body :llyinlppermost rand tthe teeth ibeingrrlireetedfdovmwardly-torallowxxaminationcofttherknitted one "when ifthis :isane'cessary.Whemthe fcotnb' .i's' tithus tnrndupsidei'dowmlthe studfialearriedzbyztheendiplate 17 (Fig. 3) engages a corresponding recess 20cthat serves as an abutment and as hooking means with a view topreventing the comb from dropping back too easily.

In the position of the comb illustrated in the drawings, each stud 31bears against the adjacent carrier 21 so as to hold the rectilinear comb15 at a certain distance from the front wall 1a of the casingil .(Fig.3).

The teeth 14 are located, when the comb 15 is in its normal position, ina manner such that the hooks 6 may lie inregister with'the intervalsbetweenzsaid teeth. The hooks 6 are actuated in a manner such'astoexecute in alternation a forward and a rearward movement with reference:;to the comb .15, this reciprocatingsmovernent being produced bya.driving sliding .member such as the carriage shown at32 (Fig.2)which'is adapted to assume a reciprocating movement throughout thelength of the machine. This movement is produced through handactuationof the head or knob 33, assuming the shape of a parallelepiped andforming a handle 'forlthe carriage. The said carriage 32 slides whenthus controlledlovera longitudinal rail '34 carried by-thegroovedmetalsheet 10.

To this carriage 32 are secured at 35and 3.6 the ends of an endlessmetal strip or .ribbon37 that serves for holding the slidinghooks 6 intheir rear position and .thatis guided .in a longitudinal groove 3.8provided in the rail 34: said metal ribbonis drawn on oneside and-pushedon the other during the movement of the carriage32, the two movements ofthe ribbon equilibratingeach other vvi'thoutany difficulty, whereby theoperation of.the.machineis.extrernelynsmooth. The head 33 vof .thecarriage 32 .carries theusual .thread carrier 39 that provides for thelaying .of the threadin the usualz'manner.

Inorderto. make the counting of the-stitches easier,.one tooth outof.five,..for instance, in the.-series:of teeth '14 carried .byvtherectilinear comb .15, may beicolored diiferently from the .otherswhereby .it may be easily;distinguished; this is shownat 14ainFig. 4.

.On the other hand, it is possible to make the ;stitches pass over theheads of the teeth when the .knitting isthat of jersey stitches, and tothis endscornbs. are :used that includeteeth in register only witha;number of the intervals between adjacent sliding. hooks.

The machine is carried by two removablefeetconstitutedeach-by a flatironmember 40 provided with two upwardly bent flanges 41 and42:engagingz the 'bottomor the casing =1, oneaof the flanges 41 bearingagainstzmplate 43;rigid with .thecasing. Each of the fiat iron members40 is :rigid with an iron fitting 44 :provided with a reinforcing. rib'45 .and that .is suitably 'bent so as to form widelyspacedibearingsurfaces carrying theironmerhber 40;*said bearingsurfacescarry blocks 46 of e'lastic'material ;such as "rubber .for instance.This arrangement allows giving the front of themachine-a'slope"furthering thework'as readily apparentin'Fig.-2,-'wliile the-mounting; and :dismantling of 3 the machine maybe performe'd speedily.

-10bviouslythe inevn'tionis-by no-means limited to the particular''embodiment disclosed by way .of example, as many modifications "and thesubstitution of equivalent means for the different parts thereofmaybecontemplated, without nnduly widening thereby the .scope of. the.invention as defined in the accompanyingclaims.

What'I c1aim..is:

1. YA knittingmachine .comprisingiajtframe, =a; serieseofaligndrthreadmngaginghooks,.controllingemeansiforurgingzsaidhooksinsucc'ession into-a transverse reciprocatory movement, -.a rectilinearcomb .located .in'iront ofthe aligned hooks. and adapted totcooperatetherewith for-the formation of the knitted'fabriq a carrierforaeachendofthe; comb,::a'pivoting-' arm of substantial length-rigid with-each';carrier,apivots"rigid with theframepn: the'outside-of the comband to which said arms "arerevolubly secured'to?allowtassnbstantiallyrectilineartransverse 'shifting :of

the comb cartierswvithrference tothe'seriesof hooks and means adapted tolay a thread between the shifted hooks and the teeth of the comb. 1

2. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooks insuccession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinear comblocated in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperate therewithforthe formation of the knitted fabric, a carrier for each endof I thecomb, a pivoting arm of substantial length rigid,with

each carrier, pivots rigid with the frame on the outside of the comb andto which said arms are revolubly secured to allow a substantiallyrectilinear transverse shifting of the comb carriers with reference tothe series of hooks, a pointer rigid with each carrier, a scale carriedby the frame in register with each pointer to define the location of therectilinear comb at any moment, and means adapted to lay a threadbetween the shifted hooks and the teeth of the comb.

3. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooks insuccession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinear comblocated in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperate therewithfor the formation of the knitted fabric, an inwardly recessed carrier ateach end of the comb, a stud rigid with each end of the rectilinear comband removably carried in the recess of the corresponding carrier, apivoting arm of substantial length rigid with each carrier, pivots rigidwith the frame on the outside of the comb and to which said armsare'revolubly secured to allow a substantially rectilinear transverseshifting of the comb carriers with reference to the series of hooks andmeans adapted to lay a thread between the shifted hooks and the teeth ofthe comb.

4. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooks insuccession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinear comblocated in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperate therewithfor the formation of the knitted fabric, an inwardly recessed carrier ateach end of the comb, the recess in each carrier being defined by twoslopes, the cross-section of which by a plane perpendicular to the lineof hooks assumes the shape of a V over one side of which the comb isadapted to be raised to an adjustable extent for releasing a thread fromthe hooks, said V-shaped recess guiding the engagement and disengagementof the comb and allowing a longitudinal turning round of the comb endfor end, a stud rigid with each end of the rectilinearcomb and removablycarried in the recess of the corresponding carrier, a pivoting arm ofsubstantial length rigid with each carrier, pivots rigid with the frameon the outside of the comb and to which said arms are revolubly securedto allow a substantially rectilinear transverse shifting of the combcarriers with reference to the series of hooks and means adapted to laya thread between the shifted hooks and the teeth of the comb.

, 5. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooks insuccession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinear comblocated in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperate therewithfor the formation of the knitted fabric, an inwardly recessed carrier ateach end of the comb, the recess in each carrier being defined by twoslopes, the cross-section of which by a plane perpendicular to the lineof hooks assumes the shape of a V over one side of which the comb isadapted to be raised to an adjustable extent for releasing the threadfrom the hooks, said V-shaped recess guiding the engagement anddisengagement of the comb and allowing a longitudinal turning round ofthe comb end for end, a stud rigid with each end of the rectilinear comband removably carried in the recess of the corresponding carrier, afurther recess being provided in each carrier to form a stop for thecomb when its studs are inserted upside down in the carrier recesses andits teeth are directed downwardly, a pivoting arm of substantial lengthrigid witheach carrier, pivots rigid with the frameonthe outside of thecomb and to which said arms are revolubly secured to allow asubstantially rectilinear transverse shifting of the comb carriers withreference to the series of hooks and means adapted to lay a threadbetween the shifted hooks and the teeth of the comb.

6. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, a carriage moving longitudinally of the machinefor controlling the transverse reciprocation of the hooks, a rectilinearcomb located in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperatethere with for the formation of the knitted fabric, a carrier for eachend of the comb, a pivoting arm of substantial length rigid with eachcarrier, pivots rigid with the frame on the outside of the comb and towhich said arms are revolubly secured to allow a substantiallyrectilinear transverse shifting of the comb carriers with reference tothe series of hooks, a thread carrier rigid with the movable carriageand adapted to lay a thread inside the sliding hooks as they reciprocatetransversely under the action of the shifting of the carriage and a handoperable projection rigid with said thread carrier through which saidthread carrier and carriage may be shifted in unison.

7. A knitting machine comprising a frame, a series of alignedthread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooks insuccession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinear comblocated in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperate therewithfor the formation of the knitted fabric, said comb includingalongitudinal wooden core, a cover portion fitted over.

said core and teeth secured to the wooden core and projecting upwardlywith reference thereto, a carrier for each end of the comb, a pivotingarm of substantial length rigid with each carrier, pivots rigid with theframe on the outside of the comb and to which said arms are revolublysecured to allow a substantially rectilinear transverse shifting of thecomb carriers with reference to the series of hooks and means adapted tolay a thread between the shifted hooks and the teeth of the comb.

8. A knitting machine comprising a parallelepipedic frame, a series ofaligned thread-engaging hooks, controlling means for urging said hooksin succession into a transverse reciprocatory movement, a rectilinearcomb located in front of the aligned hooks and adapted to cooperatetherewith for the formation of the knitted fabric, a carrier for eachend of the comb, a pivoting arm of substantial length rigid with eachcarrier, pivots rigid with the frame on the outside of the comb and towhich said arms are revolubly secured to allow a substantiallyrectilinear transverse shifting of the comb carriers with reference tothe series of hooks, means adapted to lay the thread between the shiftedhooks and the teeth of the comb, a bent metal plate fitted between thelongitudinal walls of the frame extending throughout the latter andprovided with apertures to allow the hooks to be shifted transverselythrough said apertures, a slideway for the means controlling thereciprocation of the hooks extending longitudinally inside said metalplate, perforations being provided in the front wall of the frame inregister with the apparatus in the plate for the passage of the slidinghooks and two transversely grooved metal sheets carried inside the metalplate and provided with transverse grooves for the guiding of the innerends and the medial portions respectively of the different hooks.

9. A knitting machine comprising a parallelepipedic frame, a series ofaligned thread-engaging hooks, a carriage moving longitudinally of themachine for controlling the transverse reciprocation of the hooks, arectilinear comb located in front of the aligned hooks and adapted tocooperate therewith for the formation of the knitted fabric, a carrierfor each end of the comb, a pivoting arm of substantial length rigidwith each carrier, pivots rigid with the frame on the outside of thecomb and to which said arms are revolubly secured to allow asubstantially rectilinear'transverse shifting 'of :the comb carrierswith'reference to the-series of hooks, a thread carrier rigid =withthe-movable carriage and adapted "to lay the thread on the sliding hooksas they reciprocate transversely under the action of the shifting-of thecarriage, a hand operable projection rigidwith said thread carrierthrough which said thread carrier and carriage may be shifted in-unison,a bent metal plate fitted -between the longitudinal walls of the -frameand extending throughout the latterand provided with apertures to allowthe hooks to be*shifted transversely through said apertures, a 'slidewayfor the "carriage controlling :the reciprocation of the hooks, extendinglongitudinally-inside said metal plate, ;perforations being-provided-inthe front wall of'the frame in register-with Illfi'flPfil'illI'CS in theplate *for the passage "of the sliding hooks and two transverselygrooved metal-sheets carried'inside the metal plate and providedWith-transversegrooves for the guiding'of the inner ends andthemedialsections respectively of the'different hooks.

10. A knitting machine comprising -a -paralle lepipedic frame, a seriesof aligned thread-engaging hooks, a carriage moving longitudinally ofthe machine for controlling the transverse reciprocation of the hooks,a-1'e ctilinearcomb located in front of the aligned hooks and adapted tocooperate therewith for the form-ationof the knitted fabric, a carrierfor each -endof the comb, -a pivoting arm of substantiallengthi rigidwith each carrier, =pivots rigidwith the 'frame 'onthe outside of thecomb and to which said arms are revolubly secured ito allow asubstantially rectilinear transverse shifting of the comb carriers withreference to the series of hooks, a thread carrier rigid with themovable carriage and adapted to lay a thread on the sliding hooks asthey reciprocate -transversely under the action of the shifting of thecarriage, a hand operable projection rigid with said thread carrierthrough which said thread carrier and carriage maybe shifted in unison,a-bent'metal plate fitted between the longitudinal walls of the frame,extending throughout the latter and provided with apertures to allow thehooksto be shifted transversely through said apertures, a slideway forthe carriage controlling the reciprocation of-the hooks, extendinglongitudinally inside said metal plate, perforations being provided inthe front wall of the frame -in register with the :apertures -in theplate for the passage of the sliding hooks and two transversely groovedmetal sheets carried inside the metal plate and provided with transversegrooves for the guiding of the inner ends and ,the medial portionsrespectively of the different hooks, a-further metal sheet assuming theshape of an'inverted U on which the medial portions of the hooks areadapted to slide, a springcarrying the inverted -U-shaped sheet andstays connecting the outer edges of the metal plate at the lower endthereof and carrying said spring.

996,798 ZFrance Sept. 5, .1951

